Bag



March 1, 1938. R. C.'HURREY ET AL 2,109,533

BAG

Filed Feb. 15, 1936 INVENTORS ATTO EY.

Patented Mar. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE BAG Ross C. Hurrey and Frank Toohey, In, New York, N. Y., assignors to Bag-pak, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application February 15, 1936, Serial No. 64,036

17 Claims.

Our invention comprises improvements in heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bags, of the type formed from flattened, tubular body portions provided with gussets extending along their opposite longitudinal edges, and particularly, but not necessarily, multi-ply bags of large size adapted to contain about one hundred pounds of pulverulent or granular materials.

Essentially, the primary objects of the invention are to devise means, provided as an integral portion of the bag when sold as an article of manufacture, whereby the filling and closing of such bags may be accomplished without disrupting the folds of the gussets adjacent the mouth of the bag, and to form such means so as to resist normal stresses tending to open the gussets at the mouth of the bag while permitting relative movementof the walls of the gusset and of the bag such as normally occasioned by the bulging of the intermediate portion of the bag. A further object of the invention is to devise means as aforesaid which will normally remain intact during the filling and closing of the bag, but which may fail upon the application of gussetspreading forces such as would be occasioned by handling the filled and closed bag by means of the pockets formed by the inwardly tucked gussets and the closure at the mouth of the bag, thereby preventing the formation of holes in the wallsof the bag below its normal line of closure, and imposing the forces applied in lifting the filled bag upon the closure, which is designed to withstand such forces.

The present invention is an improvement upon the invention disclosed and claimed in United Sta es Letters Patent No. 2,017,838, issued to W. N. Baker, et al., on October 22, 1935. As in the aforesaid patent, the present invention is particularly designed for use in connection with open-mouth bags closed in the manner set forth and claimed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,913.825, issued to Baker, on June 13, 1933. Other types of closures may be used, but the particular form is preferred. Bags made in accordance with our invention achieve the desired objects, while presenting relatively little change in outward appearance, thereby preserving the appeal of paper bags to consumers who desire the large, printing surfaces afforded by the outer faces of the bags.

Our invention is set forth in detail in the following specification, and illustrated in the accfmpanying drawing wherein like numerals refer to lke parts throughout.

The drawing discloses the following: I

Fig. 1 shows a preferred form of our invention applied to one corner of the mouth of an openmouth gusseted bag, the remainder of the bagbeing omitted fromthe view;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of a corner of an open-mouth bag, showing adetail which may be incorporated in the structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3-is a view, partially in perspective, of a modified form of the invention applied to a filled bag;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a means of reinforcing the structure of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing another'form of reinforcing means; 7

Fig. 6 is a view of a corner of an open-mouth bag having the structure of Fig. 3 applied in slightly different fashion;

Fig. 7- is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing a means of reinforcing the structure of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing a different form of reinforcement;

Fig. 9 is a view of a corner of an open-mouthed bag showing a further means of achieving our invention;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showinga means of reinforcing the structure of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a view in perspective showing several features of the invention combined in one form; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the mouth of a filled bag having our invention applied thereto, after the same has been closed and sealed in accordance with the disclosure of the aforesaid United States Letters Patent No. 1,913,825.

An open-mouth gusseted bag, as it is usually sold to the consumer, consists of a. flattened, tubular body portion comprising a front wall 2|, a rear wall 22, and gussets 23 extending along the opposite longitudinal edges of the flattened body portion,.and a closure at the bottom of the body portion forming therewith the open-mouth gusseted bag. Prior to the invention disclosed in the aforesaid Letters Patent No. 2,017,838, the consumer, upon filling such a bag, opened its mouth to the widest extent possible, either intentionally or as a result of the inward flow of material, unless the gussets were restrained by mechanical grippers, and thereafter was required to refold the gussets adjacent the open mouth in order that a uniform, effective closure could be applied to the mouth of the bag. In accordance with the aforesaid invention, a gusset-holding means applied at each corner of the open mouth prevents the unfolding of the gussets, thereby eliminating the time consumed as aforesaid. In some types of bags however, the application of a rigid gusset-holding means such as a metallic staple, eyelet or rivet may be found to result in failure of a portion of the bag walls or of the walls of the gusset because of the following:

As the'intermediate portion of the body of the bag expands due to the inwardly flowing material, the bag tends to assume a substantially rectangular shape in cross-section, thereby forcing the inner fold of each gusset outwardly into the plane of the longitudinal edges of the side walls. The strains superimposed upon the'corners of the open mouth by reason of the spreading of the open mouth to permit the insertion of a filling spout and by reason of the outward forces upon the gussets, result in a tendency to draw the upper edge of the gussets downward between the walls of the bag. If the gusset-holding means consists of a rigid element passing through the walls and the gussets, the result is a tendency to bow the upper edge of the bag mouth downwardly to an extent which will compensate for the downward movement of the upper edge of the gussets. However, in some cases the opposing forces may result in pulling an end of the gusset-holding means through the walls of the bag, or in the formation of tears or other failures in a portion of the bag material. The object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages.

Referring to the form of our invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there is provided a gusset-holding means, applied at each upper corner of the bag, consisting of a. strip of flexible material comprising an intermediate section 24 spanning the gusset and end portions 25, 26 overlying and adhered to the front and rear walls of the bag, respectively. When the inner edge 21 of the gusset tends to move outwardly into the plane of the edges 28 of the walls of the bag, such movement results in downward movement of the upper edge of the gusset 23, the greatest movement being at its corner 29. However, the intermediate section of the gusset-holding means prevents opening of the gusset at the edges of the bag. The lower and outer corner of the gusset-holding means, indicated at 30, is placed under considerable tensile strain due to the gusset-spreading force applied thereto. The strength of the gusset-holding means is preferably such as to resist failure under such normal forces in order that the bag may be closed without difiiculty, but, after the bag has been closed by means of a line of stitches, etc., indicated schematically at 3|, the filled bag may be so handled as to place an unusual strain upon the gusset-holding means at 30, and the gusset-holding means is preferably so designed as to fail longitudinally of the intermediate section 24 before the end sections fail, or tear loose from the walls of the bag, or tear or otherwise cause failure of a portion of the walls of the bag. In Fig. 2 a further means of insuring this directed failure is indicated as comprising a notch or slit 32 extending longitudinally upwardfrom the edge 30 in the intermediate section 24.

Referring to the ffim shown in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive, there is illustrated a gusset-holding means having the above advantages and characteristics comprising a line of textile stitches 40 applied diagonally across the corner of the bag; the stitches being preferably loose in order that the corner 29 of the gusset may slide downwardly between the walls of the bag when the edge 21 of the gusset tends to assume a position in the plane of the edges 28 of the walls of the bag. The stitches form end sections overlying portions of the walls of the bag and intermediate sections spanning the gusset. The natural flexibility of the thread will permit slight movements of the walls of the gusset relative to the Walls of the bag. The gusset-holding means preferably extends below the normal line of closure, indicated at 3|, and intersects the edge of the bag at the point 30. The strength of the thread forming the gusset-holding means is preferably such as to withstand normal strains, but to fail at the point 30 upon the application of a gusset-spreading force less than that required to pull the stitches through the walls of the bag, thereby throwing the strains upon the closure which is designed to withstand the same. In Fig. 4 the line of stitches 40 has been reinforced by a strip of flexible material, such as shown in Fig. 1, consisting of outer sections and 2B and an intermediate section 24 spanning the gusset. In this case, not only are the stitches further prevented from pulling through the walls of the bag, but the force required to open the gussets at thefpoint is increased. In Fig. 5 the line of stitches is reinforced in a different fashion as by means of the interposition between the loops of the stitches and the wall of the bag of a length of flexible, cushioning cord 4|, such as described and claimed in the aforesaid patent to Baker, No. 1,913,825.

Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, illustrate gusset-holding means similar to those shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, the difference lying in the angular relation of the line of the stitches to the corner of the bag. The stitches as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, may be applied by means of an intermittently actuated sewing machine positioned above a conveyor by which the bags are continuously progressed. In this form the stitches are designed to yield sufficiently to permit limited sliding movement of the gusset relative to the walls of the bag under ordinary strains, and to fail as aforesaid upon the application of unusual gusset-spreading forces. However, the lower terminal of the line of stitches is so spaced inwardly from the edge of the bag and below the normal closure 3| that failure of the gusset holding means is not so likely to be caused, thereby decreasing the likelihood of forming even such small holes as would be occasioned by the stitches 40 being removed from the stitch holes.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a modified form, which may be applied manually, consisting of a loop of flexible thread 46 drawn through the material of the bag and knotted, the same being reinforced in Fig. 10, by a strip of flexible material consisting of outer sections 25 and 26 (26 not shown) and an intermediate section 24. The advantages of this form are that the gusset-holding means have the advantages heretofore described, and may be placed so closeto the normal line of closure that they would be covered by an applied bag mouth sealing tape, and would not fail except under very unusual conditions.

Figure 11 illustrates a modified form of the invention as disclosed in Figure '7. In this form, a line of stitches 40 is reinforced by flexible gusset-holding means, such as shown in Figure 2. This reinforced gusset-holding means is considerably stronger than either of the means shown in Figures 2 or 6 when used alone. In the form illustrated in Figure 11, a notch 32 is cut in the gusset-holding means 25 and, in the event that a gusset-spreading force sufficient to cause failure of the gusset-holding means is encountered, the notch 32 will direct the failure to the gussetspanning portion 24 of the, holding means 25. The action of the threads 40, upon failure thereof, will be substantially as disclosed above in connection with Figures 6 to 8 inclusive.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the upper end of a bag having one of the forms of the invention applied thereto and having the mouth thereof closed in accordance with the invention of the aforesaid Letters Patent to Baker, No. 1,913,825.

Referring to thisfigure, there is shown the body portion of a bag filled with material so that the intermediate portion of the bag has been outwardly bulged causing the inner edge 21 of the gusset to tend to lie in the plane of the edges 28 of the front and rear walls of the bag. Of course, the edge 21 extends inwardly at the mouth of the bag and invariably bulges. beyond the plane of the edges 28 toward the center of the body portion. The gusset-holding means illustrated comprises a line of stitches 40, reinforced by a flexible cord 4|, extending diagonally across the corner of the bag and intersecting the edge of the bag at the point 30. The upper corner of the gusset 29 is illustrated as it would be pulled downwardly between the walls of the bag to the extent permitted by the gusset-holding means. The bag is illustrated as having been closed by a closure, indicated at 3|, consisting of stitches reinforced by a flexible cushioning cord interposed between the loops of the stitches and the wall of the bag, the mouth of the bag and the line of closure being covered by an adhered strip of tape 50, a portion of which has been broken away for illustrative purposes. The pocket formed by the inwardly tucked end of the gusset is clearly illustrated, the said pocket forming means conveniently to handle the bag. Upon the insertion of the fingers of the hand into the said pocket an unusual gusset-spreading force may be applied to the walls of the gusset, tending to pull the stitches of the gusset-holding means through the walls of the bag. The strains thus imposed upon the bag material are concentrated toward the point 30, and if such strains are greater than can be withstood by the stitches 40, the same will fail, thereby throwing the lifting strains upon the closure 3|. It is not purposely intended that the stitches 40 should fail, since the stitch holes might permit the escape of a slight amount of material, but it is intended'that the stitches 40 should fail before a failure of the bag material occurs, thereby preventing the formation of holes larger than the stitch holes. It will be appreciated that, with the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 there would be no stitch holes at all, and that with the forms shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, there would be very little likelihood of the stitches 40 being caused to fail, and, further, that with the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10 there would probably never be a failure of the gusset-holding thread 46.

Each of the forms described aboveare related in that the gusset-holding means comprises outer sections overlying portions of the walls of the bag and an intermediate section spanning the gusset, the gusset-holding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent the mouth of the bag such as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, and the strength of the portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by the gusset-holding means being greater than that of the gusset-holding means so as to withstand the action of a gusset-spreading force sufficient to cause failure of the gussetholding means.

Other modifications in form and arrangement will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and we do not intend to be limited to the exact details set forth herewith, but claim as our invention all such modifications as come within the scope of the following claims:

We claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty,

open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along its opposite longitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising an intermediate sectionspanning the gusset, and outer sections overlying portions of the walls of the bag,'said gusset-holding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative-movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open mouth such as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag,

the strength of, such portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by said gusset-holding means being such, relative to that of said gusset-holding means, as to withstand the action of a gussetv spreading force suificien't to cause failure of said gusset-holding means.

2. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty,

open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along its opposite longitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising a line of stitches passing through the bag, said gussetholding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open mouth such as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, the strength of such portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by said gusforming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising a strip of flexible material secured around the longitudinal edge of the bag and having its ends adhered to the opposite walls of the bag, said gusset-holding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open mouth as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, the strength of such portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by said gussetholding means being such, relative to that of said gusset-holding means, as to withstand the action of a gusset-spreading force suflicient to cause failure of said gusset-holding means.

4. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along its oppositelongitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising a line of stitches passing through the bag and reinforcing means between the loops of the stitches and the bag, said gusset-holding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open mouth such as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, the strength of such portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by said gusset-holding means being such, relative to that of said gusset-holding means, as to withstand the action of a gusset-spreading force suflicient to cause failure of said gussetholding means.

5. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along its opposite longitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising a line of stitches passing through the bag and reinforcing means between the loops of the stitches and the bag, said reinforcing means comprising a strip of flexible material bent around the longitudinal edge of the bag, said gusset-holding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open mouth such as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, the strength of such portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by said gusset-holding-means being such, relative to that of said gusset-holding means, as to withstand the action of a gussetspreading force sufficient to cause failure of said gusset-holding means.

6. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along its opposite longitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising a line of stitches passing through the bag and reinforcing means between the loops of the stitches and the bag, said reinforcing means comprising a strip of \flexible material bent around the longitudinal edge of the bag and having its: ends adhered to the opposite walls of the bag, said strip being weakened at the lower edge of the intermediate portion spanning the gusset, said gusset-holding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open mouth such as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, the strength ofsuch portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by said gussetholding means being such, relative to that of said gusset-holding means, as to withstand the action of a gusset-spreading force sumcient to cause failure of said gusset-holding means.

7. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along its opposite longitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising a strip of flexible material bent around the longitudinal edge of the bag and having its ends adhered to the opposite walls of the bag, said strip being weakened at the lower edge of the intermediate portion spanning the gusset, said gusset-holding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open mouth as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, the strength of such portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by'said gussetholding means being such, relative to that of said gusset-holding means, as to withstand the ac tion of a gusset-spreading force sufllcient to cause failure of said gusset-holding means.

8. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along its opposite longitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising a line of stitches passing through the bag and reinforcing means between the loops of the stitches and the bag, said reinforcing means comprising a strip of flexible material bent around the longitudinal edge of the bag, said strip being weakened at the lower edge of the intermediate portion spanning the gusset, said gusset-holding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open mouth such as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, the strength of such portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by said gusset-holding means being such, relative to that of said gusset-holding means, as to withstand the action of a gussetspreading force sufllcient to cause failure of said gusset-holding means.

9. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along its opposite longitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising a line of stitches passing through the bag and reinforcing portion spanning the gusset, said gusset-holdingg means being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open mouth such as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, the strength of such portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by said gussetholdingmeans being such, relative to that of said gusset-holding means, as to withstand the action of a gusset-spreading force sufficient to cause failure of said gusset-holding means.

10. As an article of manufacture, a gusseted heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a body portion, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a bag having an open mouth at one end, the opposite longitudinal edges ofsaid bag havinggussets which extend at least along the portions of said edges adjacent said open mouth, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising an intermediate section spanning the gusset, and extreme sections overlying portions of 'the walls of the bag, said gusset-holding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative move ment of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open' mouth such as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, the strength of such portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by said gusset-holding means being such, relative to that of said gussetholding means, as to withstand the action of agusset-spreading force sufficient to cause failure of said gusset-holding means.

11. As an article of manufacture,-a gusseted, heavy-duty, open-mouth paper shipping bag comprising a body portion, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a bag having an open mouth at one end, said body portion being flattened at said mouth to form gussets extending along at least a portion of the opposite longitudinal edges of said bag, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising a line of stitches passing through the bag, said gusset-holding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open mouth such as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, the strength of such portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by said gusset-holding means being such, relative to that of said gusset-holding means, as to withstand the action of a gusset-spreading force sufficient to cause failure of said gusset- 'holding means.

12. As an article of manufacture, a gusseted, heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a body portion, a closure at one end of said body portion forming va. bag having an open mouth at one end, the opposite longitudinal edges of said bag having gussets which extend at least along the portions of said edges adjacent said open mouth, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising a strip of flexible material secured around the longitudinal edge of the bag and having its ends adhered to the opposite walls of the bag, said gusset-holding means being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the walls of the gusset and of the bag adjacent said open mouth as occasioned by the operations of opening and filling the bag, the strength of such portions of the walls of the bag as are secured by said gusset-holding means being such, relative to that of said gusset-holding means, as to withstand the action of a gusset-spreading force suflicient to cause failure of said gusset-holding means 13. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along its opposite longitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion I forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and means for-preventing spreading of the ends of said gussets adjacent said open mouth during the filling of the bag and the subsequent closing of said open mouth, comprising non-metallic fastening means located adjacent to, and on each side of, the open mouth within the area of the gussets, said fastening means being of sufficient strength to withstand strains set up in those portions of the gussets adjacent the open mouth by the operations of filling and closing the bag, and by the outward bulging of the intermediate portion of the bag when filled.

14. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a body portion, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a bag having an open mouth at one end, the opposite longitudinal edges of said bag having gussets which extend at least along the portions of said edges adjacent said open mouth, and gusset-holding means at each corner of said open mouth comprising a non-metallic fastener piercing said body portion including the folds of said gussets, said non-metallic fasteners being located adjacent to, and on each side of, the open mouth within the area of said gussets, said fastening means being of sufficient strength to withstand strains set up in those portions of the gussets adjacent the open mouth by the operations of filling and closing the bag.

15. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along its opposite longitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and means for preventing spreading of the ends of said gussets adjacent said open mouth during the filling of the bag and the subsequent closing of said open mouth, comprising nonmetallic elements passing through the plies of the bag and the gussets and. reinforcing means placed between the surface of the bag and the ends of said elements, said means being located adjacent to, and on each side of, the open mouth within the area of the gussets and being of suflicient strength to withstand strains set up in those portions of the gussets adjacent the open mouth by the operations of filling and closing the bag, and by the outward bulging of the intermediate portion of the bag when filled.

16. As an article of manufacture, a heavy-duty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along lts opposite longitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and means for preventing spreading of the ends of said gussets adjacent said open mouth during the filling of the bag and the subsequent closing of said open mouth, comprising elongated flexible material passing through the plies of the bag and the gussets, the ends of said material being inter-connected to form closed loops, said loops being located adjacent to, and on each side of, the open mouth within the area of the gussets, and being of suflicient strength to withstand strains set up in those portions of the gussets adjacent the open month by the operations of filling and closing the bag, and by the outward bulging of the intermediate portion of the bag when filled.

17. As an article of manufacture, a heavyduty, open-mouth, paper shipping bag comprising a flattened tubular body portion provided with gussets extending along its opposite longitudinal edges, a closure at one end of said body portion forming a gusseted bag having an open mouth at one end, and means for preventing spreading of the ends of said gussets adjacent said open mouth during the filling of the bag and the subsequent closing of said open mouth, comprising closed loops of textile material passing through the plies of the bag and the gussets, said loops being located adjacent to, and on each side of, the open mouth within the area of the gussets, and being of sufiicient strength to withstand strains set up in those portions of the gussets adjacent the open mouth by the operations of filling and closing the bag, and by the outward bulging of the intermediate portion of the bag when filled.

- ROSS C. HURREY.

FRANK TOOHEY, Jn. 

